King's Lynn and West Norfolk

King's Lynn and West Norfolk's population expanded in the 10 years leading up to 2011. At the same time there were changes in housing tenure, work life and health.

The population reached nearly 150,000

In the 10 years leading up to the latest census, the population of King's Lynn and West Norfolk increased by 8.9%, from about 135,000 to 147,000.

The addition of about 12,000 people means this area's population increased faster than the rate of growth across England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, King's Lynn and West Norfolk was home to, on average, 0.74 people per football pitch-sized piece of land (about 7,140 square metres). This made it Eastof England's second-least densely-populated district.

Population density was lower than the average across Eastof England

Population density (usual residents per 7,140 square metres) across Eastof England, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

More people cohabiting

Census 2011 data also show a change in family life for many in King's Lynn and West Norfolk.

The percentage of households in King's Lynn and West Norfolk, which comprised a cohabiting couple, increased from 7.8% in 2001 to 11% in 2011.

In 2011, just over one in four (27%) households had only a single person, compared with 28% in 2001. The percentage of households in King's Lynn and West Norfolk, which comprised a married couple (with or without children), decreased from 39% to 35%.

The proportion of households with an unmarried couple increased faster here than in any other local authority district across Eastof England. The improvement brought health in King's Lynn and West Norfolk close to the national average 9.9% in England described their health as good in 2011).

The percentage of households with a cohabiting couple in King's Lynn and West Norfolk increased by 2.8 percentage points

Percentage of households in King's Lynn and West Norfolk, Eastof England and England that had an unmarried couple, March 2001 and March 2011

Change in unpaid care provision

This area saw Eastof England's joint largest rise in the proportion of people providing 50 hours, or more, of weekly unpaid care, alongside Tendring.

Every local authority area across Eastof England saw a rise in the proportion of people providing 50 hours, or more, of weekly unpaid care, as the regional average grew from 1.8% to 2.2%.

In 2011, just under 1 in 30 (3.3%) in King's Lynn and West Norfolk reported providing at least 50 hours of unpaid care each week, compared with 2.5% in 2001. The percentage that provided between 20 and 49 hours of weekly unpaid care increased from 1.1% to 1.5%.

The proportion of people providing 50 hours, or more, of weekly unpaid care in King's Lynn and West Norfolk remained close to 3.3%

Percentage of usual residents in England, East and King's Lynn and West Norfolk by care, March 2001 and March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of households in King's Lynn and West Norfolk that rented privately increased from 10.0% to 15% in the decade to 2011.

In 2011, just over one in eight (13%) households lived in social housing, compared with 15% in 2001. The percentage of King's Lynn and West Norfolk households that owner their home decreased from 71% to 69%.

The proportion of privately rented homes increased at a slower rate here than the figure for the whole of Eastof England (from 8.6% in 2001 to 15% in 2011). Across England, the proportion increased from 9.9% to 17%.

Private renting in King's Lynn and West Norfolk increased by 4.8 percentage points

Percentage of households in King's Lynn and West Norfolk, Eastof England and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

Fewer people worked long hours

The percentage of employed people in King's Lynn and West Norfolk working more than 49 hours in the week before the census decreased from 16% to 12% in the decade leading up to the most recent census.

In 2011, just over 1 in 40 (2.8%) people aged 16 to 74 (in employment the week before the Census 2011) said they had worked less than 16 hours the previous week, compared with 1.8% in 2001.

The proportion of people working long hours fell here at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of Eastof England (from 15% in 2001 to 11% in 2011). Across England, the proportion fell from 13% to 10%.

Long hour working in King's Lynn and West Norfolk decreased by 4 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 to 74 (in employment the week before the Census 2011) in King's Lynn and West Norfolk, Eastof England and England that said they had worked over 49 hours the week before completing the census, March 2001 and March 2011

Health improved

The percentage of King's Lynn and West Norfolk residents that described their health as bad or very bad decreased from 9.6% to 6.1% between the last two censuses.

Rates are standardised to account for variation in age, which can impact the local population's health.

In 2011, just under 8 in 10 (78%) said their health was good or very good, compared with 65% in 2001. The percentage of King's Lynn and West Norfolk residents that described their health as fair decreased from 25% to 16%.

The proportion of residents that perceived their health as bad or very bad fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of Eastof England (from 7.6% in 2001 to 4.7% in 2011). Across England, the proportion fell from 9.1% to 5.5%.

These data are people’s own opinions in describing their overall health. They may be inconsistent with other measures of health, such as NHS records.

The percentage of people in ’bad’ or ’very bad’ health in King's Lynn and West Norfolk decreased by 3.5 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in King's Lynn and West Norfolk, Eastof England and England said their health was bad or very bad, March 2001 and March 2011

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Area report data

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